Black Hills State University vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Black Hills State University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Black Hills State University or Shepherd University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Black Hills State University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Black Hills State University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Black Hills State University Shepherd University
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Overview

Black Hills State University Shepherd University
Location Spearfish, SD Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Remote Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 3,425 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1006 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bhsu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Black Hills State University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $7,700 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $10,800 $15,774
Room & Board $7,528 $10,987
Avg Net Price $16,782 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $4,986 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Black Hills State University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,579 1,690
Admitted 1,526 1,620
Acceptance Rate 96.6% 95.9%
Enrolled % 31.5% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.22 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/24
SAT Range 970/1085 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Black Hills State University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Black Hills State University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 28% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,800 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,478 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $263 $229

Diversity

Black Hills State University Shepherd University
% Men 37% 37%
% Women 63% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 82%
% Black 2% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 4% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Black Hills State University Shepherd University
% In-State 57% 64%
% Out-of-State 42% 35%

Campus

Black Hills State University Shepherd University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Black Hills State University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (3,425 students vs. 3,235 students)

Black Hills State University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or Shepherd University?

  • Black Hills State University is 22.5% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($7,700.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.1% higher at Shepherd University than Black Hills State University ($15,774.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Black Hills State University ($9,827 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 45.9% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($7,528 vs. $10,987)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Black Hills State University than Shepherd University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 47% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($7,328 vs. $4,986)

Black Hills State University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or Shepherd University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shepherd University or Black Hills State University .

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 7 points higher than at Black Hills State University (988)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Black Hills State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Shepherd University (95.9%)

Black Hills State University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Black Hills State University or Shepherd University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Shepherd University and Black Hills State University.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Black Hills State University (46% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $2,700 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $38,800)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $3,255 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $25,478)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($229 vs. $263)
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/